How to keep her looking brand new?

[Certifried]

Greetings,

I just picked up an '87 Ranger 350V a few weeks ago, and it looks as if this was a 1-owner, garage kept boat.

http://picasaweb.google.com/ce...tlink

My question: how do I keep her looking so good? It's too long to fit in my garage, so I'll be buying a boat cover. In the meantime, it's a plastic tarp from Wal-Mart. I wash it every time after each use, but need some advice on care.

Do I wax it? What type? What about the hull, how do I make sure that's staying in good shape to keep it from rotting, etc?

[perfect-storm]

Nice boat

There is nothing better than garage or other indoor storage for keeping a boat looking new. Beyond that, keep it wiped down after use so scumline and stains don't build up. Wax it periodically and many here use quick spray products like Bass Boat Saver, Meguiars quick spray wax, etc....take your pic.
As far as a cover, don't use a tarp. Covers need to breathe. If possible, instead of a cover, try and put up some kind of carport. Doesn't matter if it's the metal framed kind with a tarp roof or something permanent like a lean to on the side of your house. The problem with covers is the heat and moisture. A covered boat gets extremely hot during the day and cools off at night obviously. Do this every day over several years and the heat and moisture will cause your boat to age faster. The carport type storage keeps the boat aired out and avoids the extreme heat of a closed cover thus, your boat will stay MUCH nicer.
If you must use a boat cover, NEVER NEVER NEVER cover the boat wet.

If possible, you should re seal everything going through the transom with 5200. Some older boats have never been redone and probably had silicone used as a sealer which is not good. If it's held up all these years and everything is still dry, do yourself a favor and remove everything on the transom............yes that includes the motor. Clean the area where the bolts, through hull fittings, etc go through and properly re install them using 5200. A properly sealed dry transom with wood will outlive you and I. Most failures are from poor quality workmanship, which won't be a problem on your boat, and lack of maintenance.
The previous owner may have done all this but without asking him, you won't know for sure. Peace of mind is a wonderful thing.

[Certifried]

thanks for the advice! I've been looking in to carports. I have the room for one and can do much, if not all, the work myself. The bass boat saver is something I saw someone else link to, it's good to see someone else recommend it. I'll have to order some. I've seen some other things I'm not happy about, so planning on taking it to a nearby dealer to get some ideas on what I can do about it

[WarEagle24]

Thought I would help you out on the pics getting posted.

[DIXIEDOG]

Bass Boat Saver works very well at keeping your boat nice and shiny

[intimidator1991]

also a little boat dealership trick is Pledge weve used it on our boats for years it really bring out the shine also it is a good cleaner and dust remover.